Canadian policeman joins school knitting club

A policeman in Castlegar, Canada joined in with a school knitting group this week to see just what all the fuss is about.

The Castlegar Source reports that Constable Rob Gardner joined kids from the Twin Rivers Elementary School to help learn about how craft initiatives can help fuel community cohesion.

While it is uncommon for officers to visit local sports clubs to meet youths, Mr Gardner admitted that he came across the knitting group in the school library by accident on a routine stop on his rounds.

Despite having never picked up a knitting needle, he revealed: "I have to go back now, because I only have ten rows done - apparently, I've got lots more to do."

The school liaison officer said he was grateful for the youngsters teaching him a new skill, and while he wants to try and make a bookmark, he's happy for children to see a more human side to police, rather than the action hero image portrayed in the media.

He added: "I'm still at the rookie stage of the knitting process, but I think it's going well."

While Mr Gardner says he spends most of his time as a general duties officer, he still makes time to drop by the Twin Rivers school when he can to see how the kids are getting on and to practice his fledgling knitting skills.

Commenting on the importance of liaison activities, sergeant Laurel Matthew said they can be critical to long-term police effectiveness in the community.

She said: "It builds bonds with the kids and creates a level of trust - the kids end up seeing the police as approachable, and feel safer coming to us if there's some sort of trouble.

"That's a foundation that can last a lifetime in a small community like ours."